“I’ve Brought Ice and Fire Together”: The Meeting of the Mother of Dragons and the King In the North

Anyone who watches Game of Thrones is probably freaking out right now, and there are a variety of reasons for this. Episode 3 of the hit show’s seventh season gave us what we have waited years to see: the meeting of two favourites.

That’s right. The Mother of Dragons, Daenerys Targaryen, and the King in the North, Jon Snow, have finally come face to face. My reaction?

There were no hugs, no tears, not even a friendly handshake. This meeting, as we all knew, would determine the continuation or destruction of the Seven Kingdoms. The importance of this potential alliance cannot be overstated. And that (along with the fact that I am a complete and utter nerd) is why I have dedicated an entire article to Daenerys and Jon. Sit back, relax, and let’s recap!

Melisandre Confirms Major Fan Theory

[Credit: HBO]

Even if you don’t read the books, nearly every fan of the show knows that the series is not called Game of Thrones, but A Song of Ice and Fire. But what is the meaning behind the title? Well, fans have theorized that the poetic title references two characters. Jon Snow, Ice, and Daenerys Targaryen, Fire. Poetic, right?

Well, tonight Melisandre confirms this theory in a way that’s almost off-handed. Easy to miss, but unforgettable to those who spotted it. She watches Jon Snow land on Dragonstone from afar, and Varys joins her, questioning why she is not attending the historic meeting herself. She smiles that Melisandre smile and says simply, “I’ve done my part. I’ve brought Ice and Fire together.” Interestingly enough, if you look at the strongest swords, they are not made by heat alone. It is the combination of heating and cooling, fire and ice, that makes it strong. Alone, neither stand a chance. Together, a force to be reckoned with. Ice and Fire, Daenerys and Jon, have a chance to save the world, and it’s people. And truthfully, we have none other than Melisandre to thank for it.

Did The Red Priestess Also Confirm Two Major Deaths?

Some hate her, some love her, but none can deny Melisandre’s power. And though she has made some grave mistakes, I trust her knowledge when it comes to the future. During her conversation with Varys, she tells him she will be venturing across the Narrow Sea, and he advises her not to return. But she will. She will return one last time to Westeros, because as she says, “I have to die in this strange country…just like you.”

Varys’ face drops. Gone is the all knowing smirk. We see fear in the Spider’s eyes, a rare but unmistakable occurrence. We do not know when, nor do we know how, but it will happen in Westeros. Two characters that many believed would survive the show may be destined to victims of it. But perhaps their deaths will serve a greater cause…

Tensions Rise High Between the Two Rulers

We’ve all dreamed of this moment, the moment when these two great rulers would finally meet. But as is to be expected from Thrones, this meeting was anything but sunshine and rainbows. There is no love between these two rulers, and really, why should there be?

The meeting starts, I suppose you could say, on the wrong foot. Daenerys insists on Jon bending the knee. Jon refuses. Though they are as courteous as they must be, neither accepts the other’s title or demands. But the trouble is, neither is wrong. Both causes are extremely just and necessary for the survival of the Seven Kingdoms, but both are unwavering. At least, in the beginning. But we’ll get to that. For now, let us take a look into each ruler’s stance.

Daenerys Wants A Just Queen On The Throne: Herself

[Credit: HBO]

It’s been a long time since Westeros knew peace. For many years, it hasn’t only suffered war, but terrible rulers. The Mad King had no love for his people. Robert was not cruel, but had no interest in ruling. Joffrey was, as Olenna put it so poetically, “a c*nt”. That being said, Tommen was kind. He was intelligent, he was just, and he was capable of great love. He was a child, but given the chance, he would’ve grown into a great King. But thanks to his mother, the Mad Queen, he was never given the chance. And we all know Cersei makes for perhaps the most dangerous ruler yet. So where does that leave us? If we want a good ruler, we must turn to the Mother of Dragons.

There’s no question that Daenerys is the best choice for the job. After all, it is her birthright. And as she points out to Jon, it was under the rule of House Targaryen, with a Stark as Warden of the North, that Westeros saw centuries of peace and prosperity. She cannot take her place on the Throne if she sends her men off to fight a battle in the North, a battle she cannot even be sure is real. It’s fair. I mean, if some stranger came to you and told you that there were a bunch of dead people coming to kill us all, would you be so quick to believe them? Few would. As Tyrion says to Jon in private, it is an unreasonable request. That being said, he also sees where Jon comes from…

Jon Understands That There Is An Enemy More Real Than Cersei

[Credit: HBO]

If the White Walkers cannot be defeated, it will not matter who sits on the Iron Throne. The fact of the matter is that there will be no one left. Only the dead. As impossible as it seems, they are coming. And everyone needs to be ready. Jon will not swear to help Daenerys win the Throne because he knows his sword is more useful, and more needed, defending the North. Ser Davos says it best. “If we don’t put aside our enmities and band together, we will die. And then it doesn’t matter whose skeleton sits on the Iron Throne.”

Dany and Jon Want to Trust Each Other

They are as stubborn as they come, and that’s to be expected. It’s understandable. But it’s clear, if you look past the tension in the meeting, that the want for trust is there. They do understand the necessity for the alliance. And I think they know that given time, they could even grow fond of each other. They could be more than allies, but friends. But both have worked so hard, neither can risk jeopardizing their cause. But this is where Tyrion, a friend to both Ice and Fire, steps in…

Building the Foundations

Tyrion wants to help Jon because he believes him. He believes the eyes of an honest man more than he believes what everyone knows. He cannot convince Daenerys to help fight the White Walkers, and nor should he. Not yet. But perhaps he can do something. And so he takes Jon’s request for Dragonglass to the Queen. And the discussion is sound, to say the least.

Tyrion points out that allowing Jon to mine the Dragonglass is an incredibly smart move. It means nothing to Dany. She didn’t even know it was there. By allowing him to mine it, she loses nothing, but gains Jon’s trust. She also helps to save the Seven Kingdoms, though she doesn’t believe that yet. And so she agrees, and even gives him the news herself. She will supply any men or tools that he requires, and any Dragonglass that he finds is his.

This reunion may not have been the one fans were hoping for. But this offer was huge, and honestly, more than we could have expected. Things could have gone far worse, and this is a great step in the right direction. The amount of Dragonglass that Jon will mine is crucial in the fight against the Walkers. And the trust beginning to be built between Dany and Jon…well, this is just as crucial. These are dangerous and fragile times, but with Ice and Fire together, they may just stand a chance.

What do you think is next for Jon and Dany? How did you feel about the reunion? Feel free to geek out with me in the comments!

Published by Maggie Stancu

Maggie Stancu is a Canadian film critic and recap guru who is obsessed with too many shows and films to count. She is the founder, editor-in-chief, and sole contributor to media news site Fiction's Mistress. Maggie previously contributed to pop culture sites such as ScreenPrism and Movie Pilot, and continues to contribute to Vocal Media. She's also still waiting for her Hogwarts letter, which should arrive any day now...
View all posts by Maggie Stancu